Court records in Weld County, Colorado, are maintained by the District Court Clerk and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. WeldCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about county court records. Additional resources include the Weld County District Court page on the Colorado Judicial Branch website, the court case search system, and the court clerk's office at (970) 475-2400.
Weld Court System Overview
Weld County is part of the 19th Judicial District of Colorado. This district exclusively serves Weld County — one of the largest counties by area in the state. The court combines district and county court functions into a single structure, often referred to as the Combined Court. District judges handle serious criminal cases, complex civil lawsuits, and appeals from the magistrate court, while magistrate judges handle less serious criminal cases, traffic violations, and small claims.
Courts Serving Weld
Residents of Weld County may have cases in several courts depending on the nature of the claim or charge.
| Court | Address / Contact |
|---|---|
| Weld County District Court (19th Judicial District) | 901 9th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631 |
| Weld County Court (magistrate division) | 901 9th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631 |
| U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado | Alfred A. Arraj U.S. Courthouse |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Colorado | U.S. Custom House |
| Greeley Municipal Court | 1001 11th Ave, 2nd Floor, Greeley, CO 80631 |
Other municipalities in the county — Evans, Windsor, Firestone — also have their own municipal courts for handling local ordinance violations.
What Types of Cases Weld Courts Hear
Weld County courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Civil claims of various scales, including small claims
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, paternity
- Probate, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile cases: offenses and child protection
- DUI cases
Each category is discussed in more detail with reference to the specific court.
District Court Cases in Weld
The district court is the court of general jurisdiction for the most serious cases. It handles serious criminal charges after a preliminary hearing in the magistrate court, civil claims over $25,000, and appeals from magistrate judges' decisions. Additionally, the district court handles post-trial motions in criminal cases — such as requests for sentence review or record sealing.
Cases are assigned to judges according to the internal rules of the 19th district. A district judge presides, appointed by rotation or specialization. A criminal case typically begins with an indictment by the district attorney, while a civil case starts with the filing of a complaint with the clerk's office.
Magistrate Court Cases in Weld
This is where most residents first encounter the court system. The magistrate court (County Court) handles:
- Less serious crimes and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims — up to $7,500
- Traffic violations
- DUI cases: from first arrest to trial
According to Colorado law, the jurisdictional limit for County Court in civil cases is $25,000, and for small claims, it is $7,500. Due to the high volume of cases, magistrate judges in Weld often specialize in specific categories, particularly traffic and DUI cases.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Weld
Family Law. Divorce, custody determinations, child support, paternity establishment, and protective orders are all handled by the district court. Applications can be filed through the clerk's office at the courthouse. For archival divorce records, you can contact the Colorado State Archives if the case is old enough; otherwise, records are kept by the district court.
Probate Matters. The district court also handles inheritance cases, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust disputes. A separate line for probate inquiries is available through the court office.
Juvenile Matters. Cases under the Juvenile Corrections Act and Child Protective Act are confidential. Access to these records is restricted by Colorado law. If you need information on juvenile proceedings, contact the court office directly at (970) 475-2400.
How Cases Move Through the Weld Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an indictment or complaint; a civil case with the filing of a lawsuit; a family or probate case with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The clerk's office assigns the case to a specific judge according to an internal schedule.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, this is an arraignment. In civil cases, it is a scheduling conference to agree on a calendar.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Merits Hearing. The case concludes with a trial, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeal filing, or judgment enforcement. Appeals from district court go to the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Weld
The administration of the 19th Judicial District courts is carried out by the administrative district judge in conjunction with the court administrator. Local rules and practice directives can be found on the official Weld County court page.
According to the Colorado Judicial Department Access to Public Records policy and the Colorado Open Records Act, most court records are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed records, some family cases with protective orders, and records closed by court order. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also regulates access to criminal records through the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
Hearings can be attended in person at the courthouse. Some sessions are streamed online — the Weld County page has links for viewing. Important: recording or reproducing court sessions is prohibited without court permission.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Weld
- Docket Search. Online search on the Colorado Judicial Branch portal allows searching for cases by name, case number, or date. You can select the "Weld County Courthouse" filter.
- Arrest Records. The Weld County Sheriff's arrest report contains data on individuals brought to the county jail since 2006.
- Warrant Search. The warrant search tool allows you to check for active warrants.
- Released Inmates. The daily release report from the Weld County jail is available online.
- State Inmate Search. The Colorado Department of Corrections database covers individuals serving sentences at the state level.
- Property Records. The Clerk and Recorder's self-service portal and online document search system allow you to find property records, mortgages, and other registered documents.
- Property Assessment and Taxes. Data is available through the Weld County Assessor, Property Portal Map, and Weld County Treasurer.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and other vital records are issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Department contact number: (303) 692-2200.
- Criminal History. To obtain a complete criminal history of a person within the state, contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources. The main page of the Colorado Judicial Branch provides forms, instructions, and guides for individuals representing themselves in court.
For general inquiries about Weld County court records, start with WeldCourt.us or call the clerk's office at (970) 475-2400.